Methodism in Finland

Methodism arrived in Finland through Ostrobothnians sailors in the 1860s, and Methodism spread especially in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia. The first Methodist congregation was founded in Vaasa in 1881 and the first Finnish-speaking congregation in Pori in 1887.

Since 1925, the Methodists' national churches have been the Finnish United Methodist Church in Finland and the Swedish United Methodist Church in Finland (depending on the language spoken). The Methodist Churches of Finland belong to the World Methodist Council. Both churches are subject to the bishop of the Nordic and Baltic countries. Both Methodist churches also belong to the Finnish Ecumenical Council and the Free Christian Council of Finland. The Finnish Methodist churches officially have around 2,000 members.